The art world mourns the loss of 39-year-old Kenny Lemes, a Cuban-Argentinian photographer discovered deceased in his Buenos Aires residence on Wednesday. After battling a prolonged and silent struggle with depression, Lemes took his own life, as confirmed by friends to CiberCuba. In pre-scheduled emails sent posthumously to his friends, Lemes expressed his wish for no funeral, requesting cremation and for his ashes to be sent to his homeland, Cuba.
Despite his wishes, his friends plan to hold an "artistic farewell" this Friday in Buenos Aires to celebrate his creative legacy. Lemes was renowned for his symbolic and reflective artistry, often focusing on diverse bodies marked by pain and marginalization. In a 2023 interview with the independent portal CubaNet, he shared, "I believe the truth of people is in the skin... Nothing can capture the essence or truth because everything is a pose, a performance."
Lemes was drawn to people who seemed to be weathering life's storms, those with stories etched into their beings. His photographs not only depicted individuals but also invited viewers to question and ponder their own perceptions: "I enjoy images that provoke questions and mysteries, whispers: 'Look, their leg is hurt; check out that tattoo; what's happening there? Is that a woman or a man? Is it trans? Is that blood? Where did it come from?'"
Reflection on Complex Identities
Lemes consciously chose to explore themes of apparent "non-happiness" in his work. "I have photographer friends who capture dissidents in couples, hugs, smiles, collective struggles, kisses, flowers. That's a valid perspective, and it's essential to show that dissidents can also build successful lives," he noted in an Instagram post. "However, my work doesn't dwell in happy places. I believe my exploration is enriched in the shadows, where I choose to represent more complex identities that defy societal norms, avoiding conventional beauty and heteronormative standards, not seeking to fit in, not desiring nuclear families or monogamy, nor conforming to generalized positive connections."
After learning of Lemes's tragic end, his friend Carlos Alejandro Rodríguez shared on Facebook, "Perhaps Kenny Lemes's entire body of work is a self-portrait from start to finish. Each photograph is a piece of him, beyond his image, even if he wouldn't believe it."
A Journey Through Art and Identity
Born in Havana in 1985, Lemes relocated to Argentina at the age of 11, establishing a successful career in contemporary photography. His work delved deeply into the exploration of skin, the human body, and their ties to identity, gender, and performance.
In 2019, Lemes attempted to embark on a photographic project focused on Cuba's gay and trans community, but he abandoned the effort due to challenges convincing subjects to be photographed. His contributions to the art world were acknowledged in Argentina, where he was awarded the second prize in Photography at the National Salon of Visual Arts in 2021 and received an honorable mention at the National Arts Fund Visual Arts Award in 2016.
In 2019, Lemes was granted a scholarship to study at the Roberto Jacoby Center for Artistic Investigations. Among his notable exhibitions were the 2020 display at the La Boca Contemporary Art Museum (MARCO) and "Singular Phosphorescence," inaugurated in 2021 at the Spain Cultural Center in Córdoba.
Frequently Asked Questions about Kenny Lemes
What was Kenny Lemes known for in his photography?
Kenny Lemes was recognized for his exploration of diverse bodies, identity, and the human condition, often delving into themes of pain and marginalization.
What were some significant exhibitions of Kenny Lemes?
Notable exhibitions of Kenny Lemes included his 2020 show at the La Boca Contemporary Art Museum (MARCO) and "Singular Phosphorescence" in 2021 at the Spain Cultural Center in Córdoba.
How did Kenny Lemes view the concept of happiness in his work?
Lemes intentionally chose not to focus on happiness in his work, believing that exploring the shadows and complexities of identity offered a richer artistic pursuit.